Fairfield Bay
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Resort Life in the Ozarks
An Ozark Mountain lake town in north central Arkansas, Fairfield Bay is a scenic playground where mountain trails meet the water’s edge.
Along the north shore of Greers Ferry Lake, Fairfield Bay is a resort-style community known for its stunning mountain scenery and active outdoor lifestyle. Here, you can fish and boat on Greers Ferry Lake, play two 18-hole championship golf courses, ride 90+ miles of UTV trails, explore 20+ miles of hiking and biking trails, climb to the top of Sugar Loaf Mountain Island and see history inside Indian Rock House Cave.
Fairfield Bay Marina offers a shuttle service to the island. You can also rent boats and kayaks and go on your own. Take a one-mile trek to the top for panoramic views of the surrounding lake and Ozark topography. Built by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Sugar Loaf Mountain Island Trail was Arkansas' first designated National Scenic Trail and one of the first in the nation.
The lake was created by Greers Ferry Dam, which was dedicated by President John F. Kennedy in 1963. Its clear waters have drawn boaters, anglers, and swimmers ever since. Greers Ferry Lake is stocked with every game fish native to The Natural State. The Little Red River below Greers Ferry Dam is a well-known stream for rainbow, cutthroat and brown trout.
Resort Town Amenities
On the mainland, the resort town of Fairfield Bay is also home to eight championship tennis courts, three resort-style pools, miniature golf and disc golf courses, a fitness center, a library, and a log cabin museum.
The Fairfield Bay Conference Center, adjacent to Cobblestone Inn and Suites, doubles as home to the North Central Arkansas Art League gallery. Browse rotating exhibitions of paintings, sculpture, stained glass and more from regional artists.
In addition to Cobblestone Inn and Suites, Fairfield Bay is full of retreat condos, vacation homes, and other private lodging rentals that are available for weekend getaways or extended stays. A wide variety of restaurants offer casual and formal dining options, such as the Little Red Restaurant at Indian Hills Golf Resort, which serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
The city is known for its several signature events held annually, including: Bloomin' in the Bay (May), Surf the Bay (June), 4th of July, Oktoberfest (October), and Festival of Trees at the Bay (December). During the summer, the Fairfield Bay Marina hosts many live music events, and Dive-In movies can be seen at the Cool Pool.
Arkansas’ mild climate makes Fairfield Bay a great year-round vacation destination for families and outdoor enthusiasts. It’s located 75 miles north of Little Rock along Ark. 16 east of Clinton.
Places to Stay
From lakeside condos to Cobblestone Inn and Suites, Fairfield Bay offers resort-style lodging with mountain views and easy access to the water.
Places to Eat
Fuel up with Ozark-inspired meals, lakeside burgers or a relaxing glass of wine with a view. Grab pizza at Fairfield Lanes Bowling, Arcade, Bar & Grill or have a celebratory night out at Bayside Restaurant.
Things to Do
Hit the fitness center, go bowling or visit the art gallery. Play shuffleboard, pickleball, tennis and horseshoes. Then look for three hand-carved totem poles and Indian Thong Trees.
Get Outdoors
Take a sunrise hike or sunset cruise. Try disc golf, paddleboarding, kayaking, or take a scenic drive to nearby overlooks and trailheads. Greers Ferry Lake is known for walleye and striped bass, while the Little Red River below Greers Ferry Dam is a popular trout stream.
State Parks
A short drive in any direction will lead you to one of Arkansas’ state parks. These places protect what’s wild and share what’s meaningful, from forested trails and lakeside views to frontier towns and Civil War sites. Every park offers a different way to connect.
Itineraries
Make the most of your time in Fairfield Bay, whether you're here for a weekend or a week-long family vacation. Read more about things to do in Fairfield Bay to plan your perfect itinerary.
Attractions
Choose your own adventure! Hunt or fish, shop for antiques, dig for diamonds, search for wildlife, peruse art - Arkansas attractions offer something for everyone.